The Guilford Foundation (TGF) is honored to have been named Community Partner of the Year by the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce at their 2024 Annual Excellence Awards & Breakfast Meeting. TGF received one of nine awards given to businesses and organizations that demonstrate dedication, hard work, innovation, and community-mindedness.

“A heartfelt thanks to the Shoreline Chamber for the Community Partner Award and recognition of our long-standing positive impact in Guilford. We were honored to be on stage with the other area leaders who are equally committed to building a stronger community,” said Liza Janssen Petra, TGF Executive Director.

SCC President Dee Jacob spotlighted TGF’s almost 50-year legacy of giving, which began with five neighbors who planted trees on the green and wanted a long-term funding source to ensure their good work continued. Since 2010, the organization has given over $1.5 million through grantmaking to support projects that enrich the quality of life in Guilford.

In 2023, First Selectman Matt Hoey and the Board of Selectman entrusted TGF with disbursing $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) federal funding to community-serving organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Awards ranging from $5,000 to $75,000 were distributed to 34 area nonprofits.

Petra added, “We are grateful for the confidence and trust Matt Hoey and the BOS showed in asking us to drive the ARPA allocation process. This funding opportunity was historic, given the significant size of the awards. We know organizations will use the money wisely for recovery, whether improving infrastructure, expanding programming, adding staff, funding strategic planning, increasing outreach, or offsetting revenue loss and expense increases. We also know that this unexpected financial boost will positively impact the lives of those they serve.”

The Guilford Foundation’s 2024 annual grant deadline is March 15. Their Community Investment Committee will review applications, prioritizing grants focused on basic needs, mental health, and strengthening the community. Last year, TGF awarded 28 competitive grants to community-serving organizations, ranging from $1,000 to $12,000, with an average of $4,000.